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MotoGP fans love a good party

MotoGP fans love a good party

When they race in Indianapolis, their fans party on South Meridian Street. When they race in Laguna Seca in California, they celebrate on Cannery Row in Monterey.

And when they race in Austin for the first time this week, it is expected that the fans of MotoGP motorcycle racing will party here as well.

“It’s like Christmas in July,” said Todd Tempalski, general manager of the Cannery Row Brewing Co. in Monterey. “It’s probably the busiest weekend of the year. MotoGP is a huge draw.”

How big a draw in Austin remains to be seen. Circuit of the Americas officials estimate the three-day race weekend could draw as many as 100,000. But when it comes to related entertainment, about the only things anyone seems certain of are that there won’t be as many parties and they won’t as elaborate as those for the city’s first Formula One week in November.

“It’s a cooler, laid-back event,” said Danielle Crespo, founder of Austin Race Hotels and Austin Race Events. “It’s not as involved as Formula One. … I think it should be a pretty fun group.”

Ian Weightman, CEO of Formula VIP Events, said some F1 fans are attracted by social elements of that sport while the MotoGP fans tend to be racing enthusiasts.

Weightman’s group has two events scheduled at La Zona Rosa this weekend. There’s a Moto y Musica party on Friday with a Latin band and Mexican food. There’s also a Saturday party with a rock band and barbecue.

“Saturday we’re partnering with Ducati,” Weightman said. “We’ll see how many Ducatis we can park.”

For the Ducati crowd there’s also a 6 to 8 p.m. happy hour Thursday at Ducati Austin, 812 E. Braker Lane, where 1993 world champion Kevin Schwantz will make an appearance.

At 1100 E. Fifth St., there will be a One Motorcycle Show on Friday evening until midnight and from noon to midnight on Saturday. The show will feature beer, Southern food, live music, interactive games, custom motorcycles and a display of 21 helmets painted by local artists.

The Geisha Room at Fifth Street and Congress Avenue will throw a Bikers and Beauties party Saturday, and MotoGP rider Colin Edwards is scheduled to make an appearance.

The polepositiongirl MotoGP Model and Music Party will be in the Roial, 125 W. Fifth St., on Saturday night.

That’s close to where Circuit of the Americas once planned to have a bash complete with a ramp for motorcycle stunts, but that block party was nixed by the city because of safety concerns. At Monterey and Indianapolis, MotoGP fans take over the same block ever year.

In Monterey, which is close to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Cannery Row is the gathering spot. It’s no longer the strip of sardine canneries and flophouses made famous by John Steinbeck, but an upscale collection of shops, restaurants and bars that is swarmed by motorcyclists when MotoGP comes to town.

“It’s a huge Red Bull weekend,” Tempalski said. “Red Bull and vodka seems to be the item of choice.”

In Indianapolis, Motorcycles on Meridian has become an annual street party. Motorcyclists like to take a lap around the iconic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.

“They like to be seen. It’s more of an outdoor party,” said Jesse McWilliams, regional head of operations for Claddagh Irish Pub. He estimated that the MotoGP race annually brings 50,000 to 70,000 visitors to Indianapolis.

Weightman isn’t expecting that many fans to invade Austin but said, “It will be noticeable.”